Dr. Steven Matthews grew up in Vale, NC and attended high school at Fred T. Foard. He graduated from North Carolina State University in 2001 with his Bachelors degree in Animal Science. He then attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and finally attended Oklahoma State University for his clinical year of vet school. He also graduated from vet school in January 2006. Steven has always owned and enjoyed large animals. He is available for large animal mobile calls and will offer 24 hour large animal emergency veterinary services for Vale Veterinary Hospital clients.

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Dr. Melissa Matthews﻿

Dr. Melissa Matthews is originally from Michigan and then moved to Colorado during high school. Melissa then attended Colorado State University where she graduated in 3 years (one year early) with a Bachelors degree in Biological Sciences with a Minor in Anatomy and Neurobiology. She then attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and attended her clinical year at the vet school at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK. She graduated from vet school in January 2006. Melissa has raised 3 Guide Dogs for the Blind, one which worked for nine years with a blind person. Drs. Melissa and Steven have three children, Colin, Bridget, and Sylvie whom they enjoy spending most of their time with.

Dr. Erika Mastalerz

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Dr. Erika Mastalerz grew up in Union Bridge, MD. She graduated in 2010 from West Virginia University with a Bachelors degree in Animal Nutritional Sciences. She then attended Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with her veterinary degree in May 2014. Dr. Erika enjoys treating all animals but enjoys working with cattle and pot-bellied pigs the most and will be avaliable to both large and small animal patients. She currently lives in Hickory with her two dogs, Lucy and Ellie.﻿

Dr. Jessica Hilderbran

Dr. Jessica with Corey

Dr. Jessica Hilderbran grew up in Vale and attended West Lincoln High School. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from North Carolina State University in 2003. She stayed at NCSU to earn her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2009. Dr. Hilderbran grew up on a farm and has always had a great love and respect for animals. She currently lives in Vale with her husband, Ken, her son, Jace, and three dogs, Corey, Macy, and Chessie. We are very happy to have Dr. Hilderbran on our team! ﻿

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Our Awesome Staff

Our front office manager is Darcy Englert. Darcy is originally from the Poconos in NE Pennsylvania and now lives in Cajah's Mountain with her husband, Ken, their twins, Cody and Madison, and three dogs, Colt, Penny, and Gabanja. Darcy has been in the veterinary field for twenty years and not only enjoys the pets that come in, but their owners at the other end of their leash/carrier.

Darcy and Family

Glenda Lemmond, a Registered Veterinary Technician

Glenda graduated from Gaston College Veterinary Medical Technology program in 2008. Glenda currently lives in Maiden with her boyfriend, Alfred, and their daughter, Mackenzie. Glenda has several pets and farm animals which include dogs, pigs, goats, horses, and donkeys! She enjoys spending time outside and riding her horses.

Glenda with Ace

Stacey Plonk received her Associates of Applied Science in Veterinary Medical Technology from Gaston College in 2002 and is a Registered Veterinary Technician. She has been working with Vale Veterinary Hospital since February 2017. At home she has horses, dogs, cats, goats and cows. So, you can see, being with animals is what she loves most. When Stacey is not working, you can find her on the back of a horse at a Barrel Race.

Stacey and Remi

Taylor Johnson is a Registered Veterinary Technician who graduated from the Gaston College Veterinary Medical Technology program in 2014. She currently lives with her family in Maiden and has both dogs and cats. Taylor hopes to one day be able to work with wild cats.

Marianne Kelso is a registered veterinary technician who graduated from Gaston College Veterinary Medical Technology Program in 2015. She also has a Bachelors of Science in Zoology from Mars Hill University. In her free time, she enjoys backpacking, camping, and hiking with her two dogs, Samson and Skipper.

Marianne with Samson

Amber Parker graduated from Gaston College Veterinary Technology program in 2016. She currently lives on her family’s cattle farm in Lawndale. She enjoys spending time with her family and her 3 dogs, Millie, Remi and Reba. She enjoys working with both small and large animals but enjoys cattle work the most. Amber is excited to be a member of the Vale Veterinary team and to be working close to home.

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Amber

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Another one of our Registered Veterinary Technicians is Melissa Whitted. Melissa is a self proclaimed spunky technician that graduated from Gaston College Veterinary Medical Technology Program in 2006. Melissa currently has two dogs named Samson, and Sara, and two cats named Piper and Hazel. She loves the outdoor life and spending time with her family and friends. Melissa enjoys all pets, and hopes to have her own cattle and horse farm one day.

Paige Osborneis full time Registered Vetetinary Technician. She recently graduated from the Gaston College Veterinary Technician progam in 2017. She currently lives with her boyfriend Cody and their 3 dogs Mocha, Ellie, and Comet. She enjoys traveling, singing, and dancing. She likes working with both small and large animals, but definitely has a passion for horses. She hopes to one day have her own equine farm and participate in a Therapeutic Riding Program for disabled children.

Melanie Bumgarner, is a full time Veterinary Technician that has been in the Veterinary field since 1992. Melanie has been with our practice since July 2017. She comes to our practice with a well-seasoned history in the field and will be seen throughout our hospital with many facets of responsibility. In additon to her technician duties, you will also see Melanie in the reception area with Darcy and Stacy. Melanie is also responsible for the hospitals' inventory management.

Melanie is married to Jeff Bumgarner with two children, Megan (22) and Matt (20) and just recently became a new, first time G-maw to Baby Kassidy born February 2018.

Melanie, like most animals lovers in this field, is well blessed with animal family members as well. She enjoys trail riding with her Dad and Best Friend, as well as watching her son play college baseball and spending time with her family.

Melanie has always had a love and passion for animals big and small. Melanie looks forward to helping your pets live a long and healthy life with the utmost care given here at VVH.